After Marrying the Villainous Prime Minister in My Brother’s Stead - Chapter 78

78: Passing Away—The Gu Family’s Heir Is Gone at Only Nineteen

Yan Luo’s bad habits began to worry Gu Que, who asked, “If someone prettier than me comes along, will you be drawn to them?”

Yan Luo replied, “In my eyes, you are the most beautiful.”

Gu Que pondered this but remained unconvinced. “You’d definitely cheat.”

Yan Luo glanced at her. “Your certainties are always flawed. Have your guesses ever been accurate?”

“I think they have been… once or twice,” Gu Que said sheepishly.

Yan Luo ignored her. “I’m going to sleep. Don’t touch me tonight.”

Gu Que: “…”

Who’s the one who initiates things at night?

They turned their backs to each other and slept separately.

Gu Que closed her eyes, listening for any movement behind her. Could Yan Luo really resist?

Impossible.

Sure enough, within moments, Yan Luo rolled over, her hand sliding onto Gu Que’s shoulder, then tracing her ear…

Gu Que turned back, grabbed her hand, and kissed the corner of her lips.

Forget Granny’s advice.

After the Qixi Festival, the capital gradually returned to normal, with shops reopening one after another.

Gu Que was busy scouting locations for a wine tavern, while Yan Luo shuttled between various places.

By the end of July, news arrived from the Huai River: Prince Liang had suffered a major defeat.

In mid-July, someone spotted Prince Xiang in Prince Liang’s army. The Empress Dowager was furious and had the entire Xiang household arrested and thrown into prison.

On Mid-Autumn Festival, the new emperor held a banquet. The Prime Minister attended alone. Casually, the emperor asked why the Young Master Gu was absent.

The Prime Minister replied, “He hasn’t recovered from his cold.”

The emperor frowned. The Young Master Gu seemed to have been ill for a long time. She asked, “Should I send a royal physician?”

The Prime Minister lifted her head, her gaze indifferent. With a faint smile, she said, “Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. There are physicians in the residence who will take good care of him. However, the Imperial Consort seems unwell.”

As soon as she spoke, both turned to look at Lin Biwen, whose face was gloomy.

Lin Biwen had stumbled into incredible luck—a commoner becoming a consort was already a rare blessing, and by chance, he had risen to Imperial Consort. A few days earlier, the empress had ennobled the Lin family, granting Lin’s father a marquis title, a mansion, and maidservants.

For Lin Biwen, this was a glorious honor. Yet, the empress could have many men. To Lin Biwen, this was a humiliation.

In this era, several women might share one man, but he had to compete with other men for one woman.

Yan Luo chuckled. The Imperial Consort looked up and smiled back.

The emperor was speechless and dropped the subject.

After the banquet, the Empress Dowager detained Yan Luo. She said, “I wish to see the Second Miss.”

Yan Luo smiled. “Do you want to poison the Second Miss?”

The Empress Dowager’s face darkened. “Prime Minister, do you not know your place?”

“My place? You are the ruler, I am the subject—the hierarchy is clear. Do I need to be reminded? But why are you fixated on the Second Miss in my household? Could it be that you feel guilty about your own daughter and want to send the Second Miss to keep her company?” Yan Luo smirked and took a step forward, raising her chin. “I advise Your Majesty to abandon this thought. If anything happens to the Second Miss, I will have the Duke of Wei’s entire family buried with her.”

The Empress Dowager was stunned into silence.

The palace maids on either side bowed their heads, not daring to breathe, wishing they weren’t present.

Yan Luo continued, “What Your Majesty does is beyond my control. I can only protect my own. Yan Luo is no saint. If you harm me by one part, I will return five. Feel free to test me.”

The Empress Dowager slumped. “It’s just a meeting. Is the Prime Minister so angry?”

“The Second Miss is timid and doesn’t see outsiders. Other matters can be discussed, but this—no.” Yan Luo refused outright.

The Empress Dowager said nothing more and ordered Yan Luo escorted out, eager to see her leave.

Yan Luo returned home.

After Mid-Autumn Festival, the Xiang household was sent to the battlefield as hostages. With Prince Xiang’s involvement, the war grew more intense.

The harvest came in, and Yan Luo returned 40,000 taels of silver to Gu Que—all in banknotes.

It was a fortune. Gu Que was elated for days, storing the money away to buy a large property for a wine tavern. She busied herself until September, when the empress took in three new consorts—all sons of high-ranking officials.

When Yan Luo returned, she chattered endlessly about it. Gu Que side-eyed her. “Do you want that too?”

“No, I’m just talking. None of them are as good-looking as you.” Yan Luo sighed. “People should be open-minded. Like the emperor, once she let go of her inhibitions, she became quite formidable.”

Gu Que asked, “How so?”

Yan Luo replied, “In bed.”

Gu Que: “…” Of course it’s something like that.

She stayed silent. Yan Luo added, “Let’s sleep.”

“You just got back. Have you eaten?” Gu Que was baffled. “Is your brain only filled with dirty thoughts?”

Yan Luo snorted. “I don’t want to eat. I want to eat you—taste you.”

Gu Que refused. “Eat first. You haven’t even bathed.”

Yan Luo stood immediately. “Then I’ll go bathe.”

Gu Que suddenly spoke. “Is the deposed emperor dead?”

“No, she’s under house arrest. She’s the Empress Dowager’s daughter—she’ll live well. If the current emperor misbehaves, she might return.” Yan Luo smiled and kissed Gu Que. “Am I not wicked?”

Gu Que ignored the tenderness in her eyes. “You’ve thrown the world into chaos. Of course you’re wicked.”

Yan Luo looked at her and nodded seriously. “If Yan Luo weren’t wicked, Gu Que wouldn’t love her.”

“I—” Gu Que couldn’t bear to look at her and pushed her toward the bath.

She turned and sat by the window. As soon as she looked up, she saw Tinglan hurrying over.

“A message from the residence: the young master coughed up bl00d this morning.” Tinglan’s expression was grim.

Gu Que panicked. “Wasn’t he getting better?”

Tinglan didn’t know either. “Maybe it’s the weather?”

They had survived the summer, but autumn and winter would be harder.

Gu Que understood this well—Yan Luo was the same. Her health improved in summer but declined in winter, her complexion worsening. Fortunately, she was well cared for. Granny Sun’s medical skills were excellent, and over the past year, she had prepared many medicines for her.

Gu Que had reviewed the household accounts—half the expenses were for medicine.

After a moment’s thought, she went to find Granny Sun.

Granny Sun was planting seedlings, digging small holes with a hoe. When Gu Que arrived, she handed her the hoe and pointed at the holes.

Gu Que said, “I’d like to ask you to accompany me somewhere tomorrow.”

“The Marquis’s residence?” Granny Sun guessed. Though Gu Yan had returned, there had been no movement. If he were truly well, he should have visited the Gu residence to see the Prime Minister. His absence suggested something was amiss.

Most likely, the Marchioness, fearing her son’s position was insecure, had recklessly brought Gu Yan back. His apparent health was likely a facade.

Gu Que felt guilty. “I’m troubling you.”

“It’s nothing. I’ve been wanting to check on him. Let me be clear—after years of treatment, his life was only prolonged. You should prepare for the worst.” Granny Sun laid out the harsh truth. “His condition is congenital, unlike the Prime Minister’s, which was acquired. They’re very different.”

Gu Que nodded repeatedly. “I understand.”

Granny Sun took back the hoe and squatted down, continuing to dig. “I’ll go with you tomorrow.”

Gu Que left.

Yan Luo, fresh from her bath, sat by the window, watching the scenery outside. Seeing Gu Que’s hurried figure, her mood lifted. “Young Master Gu, what are you busy with?”

Gu Que stopped. From her angle, she could see Yan Luo’s profile—a beauty bathed in twilight.

“Nothing much. What are you looking at?” Gu Que stepped inside.

Yan Luo said, “You, walking like a fool.”

Gu Que smiled and sat down. “I’m not a fool. The Marquis’s residence said my brother coughed up bl00d.”

Yan Luo raised an eyebrow. “Then he’s about to die.”

“Don’t curse him.” Gu Que patted her hand. “I have a bad feeling.”

“He was going to die anyway—it’s not a curse. If he dies, what will you do?” Yan Luo leaned against Gu Que’s shoulder like a boneless creature, tilting her head to gaze at the dusk.

Yan Luo had just bathed, her body exuding a fragrance that drifted into Gu Que’s nose.

Gu Que sniffed. “I’ll stay with you.”

“You’d better remain Gu Que. I’ll be the widow.” Yan Luo spoke magnanimously.

Gu Que fell silent, thinking for a moment. “Here, women are expected to marry. Maybe I shouldn’t be Gu Que anymore.”

The world was in chaos. No one knew what the future held. The marquis title was ultimately meaningless, but a man’s identity offered more convenience.

Yan Luo glanced at her. “You’d give up being Gu Que?”

“Yes.” Gu Que waved her hand. “You can’t have it both ways. I’ve asked Granny to check his pulse.”

Yan Luo nodded. “Let’s see.”

The next day, Granny Sun entered the Marquis’s residence through the back gate with Gu Que.

They slipped past the servants and entered the courtyard.

Gu Yan was still asleep. Granny Sun went in to take his pulse.

As soon as she felt it, her expression changed. She frowned, concentrating.

After a while, Granny Sun withdrew her hand and led Gu Que outside.

“The cold has invaded his lungs. For an ordinary person, it wouldn’t be serious, but his body is too weak.” Granny Sun looked worried, her gaze tinged with concern for Gu Que. “It’s not good.”

Gu Que asked, “Can’t a cold be treated with medicine?”

“His organs are failing. Medicine has kept him alive, but this cold is severe. Second Miss, if you caught a cold, it might be treatable. If the Prime Minister caught a cold, I’d lose sleep worrying. For someone like him, the only cure would be replacing his organs.” Granny Sun sighed.

Gu Que understood—it was organ failure. Even in modern times, he couldn’t be saved.

She was silent. Granny Sun said, “His body has relied on medicine for years. It was already weak—how did he catch such a bad cold? The Marquis’s residence didn’t take good care of him.”

Gu Que had cared for the Prime Minister diligently. Since their marriage, the Prime Minister’s fevers had become less frequent. With Granny Sun’s help, her health had improved significantly.

Granny Sun prescribed another medicine, advising Gu Que, “Let him rest quietly. Take it slow. Don’t tell your parents these things.”

Gu Que memorized her words, her heart heavy with sorrow but helpless.

After writing the prescription, Zhizhi escorted Granny Sun home. Gu Que went to see the Marquis.

The Marquis of Yongle was fishing by the lake, his fishing rod motionless in his hands for a long time. The sunlight fell on his face, but he seemed unaware.

Only when Gu Que approached did he snap out of his daze, turning to his daughter with a forced smile. “You’re here.”

“Yes. What are you looking at, Father?” Gu Que followed his gaze to the glittering lake surface—the reflection of light. Gu Yan was the light in the Marquis’s heart. Now, that light was about to fade.

How painful must that be?

The Marquis was momentarily stunned, his eyes narrowing. “Is the lake beautiful?”

Gu Que nodded. “Yes.”

The Marquis sighed. “That’s because of the sunlight.”

Gu Que pursed her lips. “Father, there’s still Qingzhi.”

“Yes, there’s Qingzhi. And you—you’re more outstanding than him.” The Marquis looked grief-stricken, his fishing rod trembling slightly. “Gu Que, he woke last night and asked for a divorce. The Marquis’s residence doesn’t need the title anymore.”

Gu Que said, “Father, I’m happy with the Prime Minister. Many things happened because of Gu Que. Let Gu Que vanish into thin air.”

The Marquis set down the fishing rod, gripping the armrests of his wheelchair. “You should have your own life. Some things can’t be forced.”

“I know what to do. Don’t worry, Father. Qingzhi is here. I’ll send people to care for him.” Gu Que took over the conversation, planning to borrow some of the Prime Minister’s men to watch over Qingzhi.

Ideally, Qingzhi should be taken away—the Gu residence was safest. But doing so would devastate the Marquis.

The Marquis didn’t refuse. If Gu Que didn’t want a divorce, the Marquis’s residence would eventually pass to her.

Leaving the residence, Gu Que’s heart was heavy.

She had never imagined such a day. Here, life was fragile—a simple cold could be fatal.

Gu Yan had a gentle nature. What a pity.

Gu Que returned home and flipped through unofficial histories, finding Gu Yan’s page: Gu Yan, the Marquis’s eldest son, died in early October.

He had less than a month left.

Gu Que took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions in her chest. There’s still a month—maybe there’s a way. Unofficial histories change with events.

She would ask Yan Luo if there were better doctors when she returned.

But when Yan Luo heard the words “the cold has invaded his lungs,” her expression changed. “You know his condition.”

Gu Que was sad but quickly composed herself. “I know.”

Yan Luo pulled her into an embrace, resting her head on Gu Que’s shoulder. “It’s okay to grieve. Don’t hold it in. Gu Yan’s fate was sealed.”

Gu Que nodded. “Prime Minister, no more drinking.”

Yan Luo smiled. “Okay.”

Gu Que added, “Prime Minister, be careful when you go out. Your health isn’t good either.”

Yan Luo laughed. “The good die young, while the wicked live forever.”

Gu Que said seriously, “Prime Minister, if you’re gone, I’ll come find you.”

Yan Luo released her, looking at her like she was an idiot. “Silly, if you’re gone, I’ll find a prettier girl.”

Gu Que wasn’t in the mood for jokes and didn’t respond, simply leaning against her in silence.

That night, neither was in the mood. They lay shoulder-to-shoulder, staring at the ceiling. Gu Que couldn’t sleep, but Yan Luo grew drowsy. “I’m going to sleep. So tired.”

Gu Que agreed. Moments later, Yan Luo was asleep.

Gu Que smiled, gazing at her quietly. Time seemed to stand still. If only life could stay like this forever.

Growing old together, still teasing and bickering—what a blessing.

Over the next few days, Gu Que visited the Marquis’s residence daily. But Gu Yan was rarely awake.

After days of waiting, he woke once. Gu Que fed him medicine herself. Gu Yan smiled. “I’m not a child.”

With that, he took the bowl and drank it without flinching. Unlike Gu Que’s sorrow, he was calm.

“Last night, I dreamed I joined the army—fought in battles, became a hero.”

Gu Que laughed. Gu Yan looked at her. “Little Que, they say a brother is his sister’s support in her marital home. But you won’t have that.”

“I have support—the Prime Minister. You don’t know how well she treats me. Don’t worry.” Gu Que forced a bright smile.

Gu Yan lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. “I’m worried about Father.”

Gu Que said, “I’ll comfort him.”

With that, Gu Yan grew sleepy and weakly waved her off. “Tired.”

Gu Que tucked him in and left. Outside, she took a deep breath, the gloom in her heart receding slightly. History is hard to change.

Two days later, Granny Sun returned to check his pulse, her expression still grim. “I’ll adjust the prescription.”

Gu Que watched as Granny Sun asked, “Has he coughed up bl00d?”

“Twice,” Gu Que said.

Granny Sun wrote out a new prescription, sighing. “Prepare yourself. Also, is he Gu Que or Gu Yan?”

Gu Que froze. Granny Sun was surprised. “When he dies, what name will be on the tombstone? Gu Que’s?”

“Goodness, you’re so careless! He’s about to die—he should have his own identity.”

“He has a son who should mourn him. What are you thinking? Don’t you want your own identity?”

“Second Miss, this is your last chance. Once Gu Yan dies, there’s still Gu Qingzhi.”

Gu Que hesitated. “What about the Prime Minister? How can we be together openly?”

Granny Sun was stumped. “It’s complicated. But you should reclaim your name first. You two should return to your rightful places. There’s always a way.”

Gu Que reminded her, “Women are expected to marry.”

“Ugh, you’re giving me a headache.” Granny Sun poked her forehead. “Huo Chengru’s mourning period won’t end for half a year. Who knows—Prince Liang might attack by then. Why worry about the future?”

There might not be a future.

Gu Que nodded. “I understand. I’ll discuss it with the Prime Minister.”

“Discuss what? You two keep dragging your feet. Even if Gu Yan dies, you’ll keep delaying.” Granny Sun was exasperated. Why not stay unmarried? There’s always a way.

Gu Que frowned, feeling lost about the future. Straying from convention was always daunting.

Even in modern times, coming out carried immense pressure—let alone in ancient times.

Gu Yan’s condition deteriorated rapidly. Granny Sun was powerless, using the best medicines to prolong his life.

Medicines varied. In a poor family, Gu Yan would have been left to die. Granny Sun had seen many patients like him—most simply waited for death.

After returning home, Granny Sun found Yan Luo lounging around. She updated her on Gu Yan.

Yan Luo looked up. “It’s really hopeless?”

Granny Sun said, “Yes. It’s a matter of days. Did you do this?”

Yan Luo glared. “You took his pulse—don’t you know?”

“The cold invaded his body. It’s not poison, but I don’t know how he caught such a severe cold. The Marquis’s residence neglected him.” Granny Sun criticized the household. Given Gu Que’s meticulous nature—traits often inherited from parents—the Marquis and his wife should have been attentive.

How could they fail their own son?

Yan Luo said, “Catching a cold during seasonal changes isn’t unusual. Blaming others is pointless—it’s fate. Since it’s come to this, I won’t hold back.”

Granny Sun’s heart skipped a beat. “What will you do?”

“Well, I’m about to be a widow. I’ll petition the emperor.” Yan Luo sighed, but her eyes gleamed sharply. “This time, Her Majesty should give up.”

Granny Sun knew she meant Princess Jinyang. Curious, she asked, “Why are they all fixated on your wife?”

“It’s all because of that face.” Yan Luo scowled. “Being too beautiful is a curse.”

Granny Sun scoffed. “If she weren’t beautiful, would you have fallen for her? You’re just as bad. I’ve seen Gu Yan—he’s not as good-looking as his sister. Your taste isn’t bad.”

“Enough. I’ll inform the emperor that my husband is dying and request leave.” Yan Luo stood, handing the remote to Wuwu.

Granny Sun asked, “Are you sure?”

“Yes. The Empress Dowager feels guilty and wants to send Gu Que to her daughter. I told her if she touches Gu Que, I’ll blow up the Duke of Wei’s residence.” Yan Luo smirked, her aura shifting.

“It deserves to be blown up.” Granny Sun sighed. “You’re more decisive than Gu Que. She’s too narrow-minded.”

“She’s simple-minded, and I love that about her.” Yan Luo was smug.

Granny Sun spat, “Stop it. Go.”

Yan Luo went to the palace to see the emperor, her face sorrowful.

The emperor was stunned. “Is he that ill?”

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s concern, the physician says it’s a matter of days.” Yan Luo sighed, deeply grieved.

The emperor couldn’t believe it. The last time she saw Young Master Gu, he was vibrant. How could he be at death’s door in just a few months?

She said, “I’ll send royal physicians.”

Yan Luo didn’t refuse. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Her acceptance confirmed the emperor’s worst fears. If it were a lie, Yan Luo would have declined.

The emperor digested the shocking news and immediately dispatched all royal physicians to the Marquis’s residence.

They returned quickly, all confirming the grim prognosis.

The emperor’s heart sank. Unconsciously, she gripped the throne’s armrests, her face pale. The physicians bowed, not daring to look up, unaware of her distress.

She was heartbroken but couldn’t show it. After composing herself, she said, “You’ve worked hard.”

The physicians filed out.

The emperor dismissed everyone. As the doors closed, she covered her face and wept.

Gu Yan is dying!

Young Master Gu is beyond cure!

Her heart ached!

Yet she couldn’t even see him one last time—could do nothing. She looked up at the solemn palace halls, overwhelmed by helplessness. What’s the use of being emperor?

Unable to act, not even granted a final glimpse of Gu Yan.

The emperor wept alone, thinking of the Empress Dowager. She stood abruptly but stopped at the door.

Would the Empress Dowager allow it?

No. She would deem it shameful—the emperor pining for a married man. The Imperial Consort would be displeased.

What good would it do? A fleeting glance would only bring trouble.

The emperor slumped against the door, crouching as silent sobs wracked her body.

So this is the pain of unrequited love.

The emperor’s pain was unknown to Gu Que, but Yan Luo understood her sorrow.

The pain of losing a loved one—Yan Luo had experienced it. She took leave to stay with Gu Que, comforting her.

Granny Sun racked her brains to prolong Gu Yan’s life, adjusting prescriptions repeatedly to ease his suffering.

On the first day of October, a message arrived from the Marquis’s residence: Young Master Gu has passed away.

Before taking his medicine, Gu Yan saw Qingzhi one last time, keeping his distance to avoid infecting him. Qingzhi smiled and called him “Father.”

Later, Gu Yan went to sleep. The nursemaid took Qingzhi away, and the maids tucked Gu Yan in.

Two hours later, when they tried to wake him, he was gone.

He passed peacefully, without pain.

The news reached the palace simultaneously. The emperor read the report, silent for a long time. The Imperial Consort asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing major. The Gu family’s heir is gone—only nineteen.” She sighed. Nineteen—such a young age, gone just like that.

The Imperial Consort, however, smiled.